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Saturday, April 16, 2011

April 15, 2011…The legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table comes alive on the Festival Theatre stage in the Lerner and Loewe classic Camelot. This timeless story of a noble king, a beautiful queen, a valiant knight and the cherished kingdom in which they live begins previews on Saturday, April 16, marking the first performance of the 2011 season.

Gary Griffin, the creative force behind 2009’s West Side Story and last season’s Evita, returns to direct this legendary tale.

“Gary Griffin has become one of our principal directors in a very short time not only because he is so enormously talented but also because he has a terrific feel for this institution and understands exactly how to take us to the limit,” says Artistic Director Des McAnuff. “And I’ve always loved Camelot: the romance, the heroism, the noble ideals of the kingdom and, of course, the music. With Gary at the helm, this show will utterly enchant our audiences with its mythical world of magic and wonder.”

“The story of King Arthur and Camelot is one of literature’s most compelling legends, dealing with such classic themes as love, passion and betrayal,” says General Director Antoni Cimolino. “We have an extraordinary cast and artistic team who have brought this piece to life in a truly thrilling production. It is an enriching and entertaining experience for all ages, and I encourage patrons to order tickets early for what is certain to be one of the hits of the season.”

With Geraint Wyn Davies as King Arthur, Brent Carver as Merlyn and Pellinore, Stratford newcomer Kaylee Harwood as Queen Guenevere and Jonathan Winsby as Sir Lancelot du Lac, this production features a classic medieval design with a Celtic-inspired set creating the mythical kingdom of Camelot.

The uplifting and charming score, with some of musical theatre’s most endearing songs, such as the beautiful ballad “If Ever I Would Leave You,” the sprightly “Lusty Month of May,” and the energetic “Fie on Goodness,” will be brought to life by a full 26-piece orchestra.

Based on the novel The Once and Future King, written by T.H. White, Camelot tells the story of Arthur, the young squire who becomes King after extracting the sword Excalibur from its legendary rock. The musical follows him as he embarks on his dream of creating a just society in which civil law overpowers the brute force that ruled kingdoms past. Encouraged by his wife, the beautiful Queen Guenevere, Arthur forms the Knights of the Round Table. But just as King Arthur’s utopian vision starts to become reality, everything begins to unravel.

“The musical has classic human conflict in it and also has an extraordinary score; it’s the kind of show that Stratford does better than anyone else,” says Gary Griffin. “The story is a classic and the fact that it is being presented by a classical company – and an outstanding one at that – brings out its best qualities.”

The artistic team features Warren Carlyle, a British choreographer making his Stratford debut, and Musical Director Rick Fox.